Sat 2/17 7:00 PM Wind River [421 Wild Way, Santa Cruz]
Red Desert is the duo project of clarinetist Katie Porter and composer/percussionist Devin Maxwell, who have been performing, commissioning, creating and championing interesting music for 17 years. Their program stems from the stripped-down, austere and crystalline beauty of Pauline Oliveros and Alvin Lucier, and extends to younger composers Lucie Vitkova and Devin Maxwell. The program concludes with Catherine Lamb’s new composition muto infinitas, for bass flute and double bass, performed by Christine Tavolacci and Scott Worthington.

Sat 2/17 8:00 PM Center for New Music [55 Taylor St SF]
The Hubbard Quartet in San Francisco
The all-female group, Hubbard Quartet presents a program of all female composers in their first concert tour of the West Coast. Composers include Julie Barwick, Vivian Fine, Devree Lewis, and Marilyn Zupnick.

Sunday, February 18

Sun 2/18 7:30 PM Temescal Arts Center [511 48th Street Oakland]
Doors That Only Open in Silence (open participation workshop in free improvisation)
The monthly series of improvisation research at Temescal Arts Center continues. Bring your instrument or come to listen. No advance notice needed — just show up. Small groups will be randomly assembled from submitted names immediately before each group plays. We try to keep transition time between groups at a minimum. Over by 10pm. It’s free. If you want to contribute, bring snacks and drinks.

Thu 2/22 7:30 PM San Francisco Conservatory of Music [50 Oak St. SF]
In SFCMP’s Master Class series you will observe some of the most talented Bay Area pre-professional music students as they learn from our renowned ensemble members in front of a live audience. Students will perform contemporary classical pieces that were selected by them. The students perform the music while being mentored in the master techniques, skills, and style of contemporary music. This new music and percussion master class is led by SFCMP percussionist, Wiilliam Winant.

Thu 2/22 7:30 PM SFJAZZ Center [201 Franklin Street (at Fell) SF CA]
JAZZ EPISTLES W/ ABDULLAH IBRAHIM, WADADA LEO SMITH & EKAYA
South African jazz legend Abdullah Ibrahim first heard the call of modern jazz in the late 1950s, and along with Hugh Masekela, founded the pioneering Jazz Epistles—a hard bop ensemble modeled on Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers that was first black jazz combo to record in South Africa. Due to recent health issues, Hugh Masekela will unfortunately not be performing with Abdullah Ibrahim and the Jazz Epistles. Masekela will be replaced by trumpeter/composer Wadada Leo Smith.

Fri 2/23 7:30 PM SFJAZZ Center [201 Franklin Street (at Fell) SF CA]
JAZZ EPISTLES W/ ABDULLAH IBRAHIM, WADADA LEO SMITH & EKAYA
South African jazz legend Abdullah Ibrahim first heard the call of modern jazz in the late 1950s, and along with Hugh Masekela, founded the pioneering Jazz Epistles—a hard bop ensemble modeled on Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers that was first black jazz combo to record in South Africa. Due to recent health issues, Hugh Masekela will unfortunately not be performing with Abdullah Ibrahim and the Jazz Epistles. Masekela will be replaced by trumpeter/composer Wadada Leo Smith.

Fri 2/23 8:00 PM The Back Room [1984 Bonita Ave Berkeley]
The Actual Trio – John Schott, guitar; Dan Seamans, double bass; and John Hanes, drums – celebrate the release of their second CD, “Act II”. For this special concert the trio will be expanded to include a horn section and a second guitarist, featuring Jayn Pettingill, Alan Williams, and Myles Boisen.